My friends are probably joking when they defend their inaction and inattention to good-for-you practices. But I have grown tired of hearing that they don't exercise, for example, because it's safer that way. To me, the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks.

Still, I get it.

Healthy habits can hurt when you engage in activities that carry inherent risk; you take routines to the extreme, thinking more is always better; you don't adjust for personal circumstances or health risks; or you focus on a single healthy habit to the exclusion of other beneficial practices.

4. Cycling

Cycling builds and improves cardiovascular wellness plus is easy on your joints. But many cyclists have lower bone densities compared to those who are similarly fit but engage in higher-impact activities; less bone can make you more prone to fractures. Plus, cycling on challenging trails and roadways involve hazardous conditions that can result in accidents. Add weight-bearing activities to your exercise routine (such as running). Learn and practice safety measures when cycling. (See also: How to Cycle Safely in the City)

6. Getting Medical Tests

We may think that getting tested for suspicious symptoms will automatically detect disease and keep us healthy. But certain screenings carry hazards and may yield inconclusive or false positive results, wrongly indicating a problem that requires additional time, money, and invasive testing to investigate. Visit the Choosing Wisely website to learn about common tests that may be unnecessary.

12. Getting an Annual Physical

Seeing your doctor for an annual physical seems like a healthy decision. But these visits have not been proven to save lives. If you get a regular physical but don't get recommended tests, then your health may be at risk. According to Davis Liu, MD in MedPage Today, "Far more valuable than a routine physical is the concept of tailoring screening tests and interventions based on your age."

14. Wearing Sunscreen

You need to wear sunscreen when you are outside to avoid skin cancer. But lack of sunlight and Vitamin D production has been associated with other forms of cancer, such as Hodgkin lymphoma as well as breast, ovarian, colon, and pancreatic cancers. In addition, some studies have suggested that a deficiency in Vitamin D from either diet or sun makes you more susceptible to multiple sclerosis. Protect yourself by avoiding excessive exposure that leads to sunburn, and make decisions on sunlight exposure based on your personal health risks. (See also: 7 Ways to Protect Your Skin)

16. Taking Your Vitamins

Vitamins provide nutrients you may not get through your regular diet. But studies have linked the use of many vitamin supplements to higher death rates. Don't assume that all supplemental vitamins will improve your health and increase your life expectancy; read the research before making a decision on what to take.

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There is so much conflicting advice. One expert says "X is good for you" while another says "X is bad for you." How are we supposed to know what to do? I think I'll stay in bed and pull the covers over my head!

Your comment reminds me of Mark Twain's quote: "Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."

I think most people would do well to avoid fad recommendations and just get some basic exercise.

As for me, I like to delve into tips, compare them to recommendations on reputable medical websites (like mayoclinic.com), see how they affect me personally, and toss them around with friends (like my cycling buddies in their 60s and 70s) who have seen fads come and go and seem to know what works for the long haul. Finally, I realize you can't live forever but you can have fun while you're here -- so it makes sense to do what is most likely healthy and what you enjoy.

From what I could discern from research, you are right that needing or wanting more sleep can be a sign of an illness (like depression or another underlying disease) rather than the cause of an illness.

But that doesn't rule out the idea that sleeping too much itself can lead to health problems. So, if you seem to be sleeping too much and aren't sure why, it could be a good idea to find out what's going on or if you are developing problems.